Methods and kits for the rapid determination of patients at high risk of death during severe sepsis and septic shock

Abstract

The present invention provides for the in vitro establishing of a prognosis for a subject in severe sepsis with at least two organ failures or in septic shock with at least two organ failures. Embodiments of the invention comprise the steps of measuring the level of the S100A8/A9 complex from a biological sample from a subject, and comparing the measured level to a predetermined threshold in which the measured level of the S100A8/A9 complex above the predetermined threshold is indicative of a bad prognosis and a measured level of the S100A8/A9 complex below the predetermined threshold is indicative of a good prognosis.

1. A method for in vitro establishing a prognosis for a subject in severe sepsis with at least two organ failures or in septic shock with at least two organ failures, consisting of the following steps:
 (i) from a plasma sample from said subject, measuring the level of S100A8/A9 complex in said sample, by immunoassay; 
 (ii) comparing said level to a predetermined threshold plasma level of S100A8/A9 complex indicative for risk of death, 
 wherein: if the level of S100A8/A9 complex in the plasma sample is above said predetermined threshold, the prognosis is that the subject will not survive said severe sepsis or said septic shock; and if the level of S100A8/A9 complex in the plasma sample is below said predetermined threshold, the prognosis is that the subject will survive said severe sepsis or said septic shock. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plasma sample has been collected at day 0, day 1 or day 2 after the onset of the second organ failure. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said immunoassay is performed with an antibody which specifically binds to the S100A8/A9 complex. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said antibody is fluorescently labeled. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said immunoassay is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).